A pole shaft assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The pole shaft assembly includes a shaft structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism and to be pivotably coupled to the housing. A number of throw assemblies are disposed on the shaft, and are secured with respect to the shaft with fasteners. The shaft includes first and second opposing ends and an elongated body portion extending therebetween. The elongated body portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape comprising a number of orienting features.
|
10. An electrical switching apparatus comprising:
a housing;
separable contacts enclosed by the housing;
an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts; and
a pole shaft assembly comprising:
a shaft cooperating with said operating mechanism and pivotably coupled to the housing,
a number of throw assemblies disposed on the shaft, and
a number of fasteners,
wherein each of said fasteners secures a corresponding one of said throw assemblies with respect to said shaft, and
wherein said shaft includes a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from said first end, and an elongated body portion extending between the first end and the second end; wherein the elongated body portion of said shaft has a cross-sectional shape comprising a number of orienting features; wherein each of said throw assemblies comprises a throw including an attachment portion attached to said shaft, and an extension portion extending outwardly from said shaft; wherein said attachment portion includes an aperture; and wherein said aperture has a shape substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated body portion of said shaft.
1. A pole shaft assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus comprising a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said pole shaft assembly comprising:
a shaft structured to cooperate with said operating mechanism and to be pivotably coupled to the housing;
a number of throw assemblies disposed on the shaft; and
a number of fasteners,
wherein each of said fasteners secures a corresponding one of said throw assemblies with respect to said shaft,
wherein said shaft includes a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from said first end, and an elongated body portion extending between the first end and the second end; and wherein the elongated body portion of said shaft has a cross-sectional shape comprising a number of orienting features, and
wherein each of said throw assemblies comprises a throw including an attachment portion attached to said shaft, and an extension portion extending outwardly from said shaft; wherein said attachment portion includes an aperture; and wherein said aperture has a shape substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated body portion of said shaft.
2. The pole shaft assembly of
3. The pole shaft assembly of
4. The pole shaft assembly of
5. The pole shaft assembly of
6. The pole shaft assembly of
7. The pole shaft assembly of
8. The pole shaft assembly of
9. The pole shaft assembly of
11. The electrical switching apparatus of
12. The electrical switching apparatus of
13. The electrical switching apparatus of
14. The electrical switching apparatus of
15. The electrical switching apparatus of
16. The electrical switching apparatus of
17. The electrical switching apparatus of
|
1. Field
The disclosed concept relates generally to electrical switching apparatus and, more particularly, to electrical switching apparatus such as, for example, circuit breakers. The disclosed concept also relates to pole shaft assemblies for circuit breakers.
2. Background Information
Electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, provide protection for electrical systems from electrical fault conditions such as, for example, current overloads, short circuits, abnormal voltage and other fault conditions. Typically, circuit breakers include an operating mechanism, which opens separable electrical contacts to interrupt the flow of current through the conductors of an electrical system in response to such fault conditions as detected, for example, by a trip unit.
Among other components, the operating mechanisms of some low and medium voltage circuit breakers, for example, typically include a closing assembly and an opening assembly that are structured to close (e.g., contacts electrically connected) and open (e.g., contacts separated), respectively, the separable contacts. Specifically, the operating mechanism includes a pivotable pole shaft, a number of stored energy devices such as, for example, an opening spring and a closing spring, and a latch assembly that cooperates directly or indirectly with the pole shaft to facilitate desired movement of the separable contacts.
The pole shaft generally includes an elongated shaft and a number of throws that extend outwardly from and pivot with the elongated shaft to actuate or otherwise cooperate with a variety of different circuit breaker components such as, for example and without limitation, a trip paddle of the trip assembly. The throws are typically welded to the elongated shaft. In order for the operating mechanism to operate properly, a precise trip paddle force is required. Therefore, the throws must be precisely and accurately positioned as the parts are welded together. Any shifting or warping of the components results in a change of the forces applied by the pole shaft throws.
There is room for improvement in electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, and in pole shaft assemblies therefor.
These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are directed to a pole shaft assembly for electrical switching apparatus.
As one aspect of the disclosed concept, a pole shaft assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus comprises a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The pole shaft assembly comprises: a shaft structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism and to be pivotably coupled to the housing; a number of throw assemblies disposed on the shaft; and a number of fasteners. Each of the fasteners secures a corresponding one of the throw assemblies with respect to the shaft.
The shaft may include a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and an elongated body portion extending between the first end and the second end. The elongated body portion of the shaft may have a cross-sectional shape comprising a number of orienting features. Each of the throw assemblies may comprise a throw including an attachment portion attached to the shaft, and an extension portion extending outwardly from the shaft. The attachment portion may include an aperture, wherein the aperture has a shape substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated body portion of the shaft. The elongated body portion of the shaft may have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and the aperture of the throw may have a corresponding hexagonal shape.
Each of the throw assemblies may further comprise at least one collar disposed on the elongated body portion adjacent to the throw. The collar may include a through hole, and the elongated body portion of the shaft may include a number of receiving holes. The through hole may be aligned with a corresponding one of the receiving holes to receive a corresponding one of the fasteners. The fasteners may be blind rivets.
A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts.
As employed herein, the term “fastener” refers to any suitable connecting or tightening mechanism expressly including, but not limited to, rivets (e.g., without limitation, blind rivets; solid rivets), screws, bolts and the combinations of bolts and nuts (e.g., without limitation lock nuts) and bolts, washers and nuts.
As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
As best shown in
Continuing to refer to
For economy of disclosure and ease of illustration, only two of the throw assemblies 110,112 are shown and described herein, in detail. It will be appreciated, however, that the remaining throw assemblies 104, 106, 108, 114 preferably have a similar construction and preferably function in substantially the same manner. Each of the throw assemblies 110,112 includes a throw 130,140 having an attachment portion 132,142 and an extension portion 134,144, respectively. The attachment portions 132,142 are attached to the shaft 102, and the extension portions 134,144 extend outwardly from the shaft 102, as shown. Referring to throw 130 of
Continuing to refer to
In the example of
As previously discussed, the throw assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 are secured with respect to the shaft 102 by fasteners 116. In other words, the fasteners 116 cooperate with the collars 160 to maintain the throw assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 in a precise and accurate axial position on the elongated body portion 124 of the shaft 102, perpendicular to the shaft 102. In the example shown and described herein, the fasteners 116 are blind rivets, although it will be appreciated that any known or suitable alternative number, type and/or configuration of fasteners (not shown) could be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
At least one of the collars 160 includes a through hole 164, and the elongated body portion 124 of the shaft 102 includes a number of receiving holes 190 (
Referring to
Continuing to refer to
In the example of
As best shown in
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the disclosed concept provides a unique pole shaft assembly 100,200 for relatively quickly, easily and inexpensively positioning a number of throw assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 very precisely and accurately on the shaft 102,202 of the pole shaft assembly 100,200 using fasteners 116,216 (e.g., without limitation, blind rivets). A number of orienting features 128,228, such as for example and without limitation, a specific cross-sectional shaft shape 126 and correspondingly shaped apertures 136,256, or any other non-suitable orienting features (e.g., without limitation, a key; a spline; a shape other than a hexagon (not shown)), help to establish and maintain the precise predetermined desired position of the components of the pole shaft assembly 100,200 for enhanced operation of the associated electrical switching apparatus 2 (e.g., without limitation, circuit breaker).
While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10340103, | Sep 12 2017 | SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC | Switching assemblies with integral handle and rotor and methods of assembly |
10535479, | Sep 12 2017 | Siemens Industry, Inc. | Switching assemblies with integral handle and rotor and methods of assembly |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
2528548, | |||
2860417, | |||
3012800, | |||
5266760, | Aug 06 1992 | CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC, INC | Molded case circuit breaker |
8507817, | Feb 16 2011 | EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED | Latch assembly and electrical switching apparatus including the same |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
May 14 2014 | EATONG CORPORATION | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
May 14 2014 | GOTTSCHALK, ANDREW LAWRENCE | Eaton Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 032888 | /0762 | |
Dec 31 2017 | Eaton Corporation | EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 048855 | /0626 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Mar 17 2020 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Mar 20 2024 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Oct 04 2019 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Apr 04 2020 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 04 2020 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Oct 04 2022 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Oct 04 2023 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Apr 04 2024 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 04 2024 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Oct 04 2026 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Oct 04 2027 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Apr 04 2028 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 04 2028 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Oct 04 2030 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |